What is this all about?

A guide to Youth Participation in UNFCCC

Young people around the world are actively engaged in the effort to address climate change, leading and participating in a multitude of initiatives at the local, sub-national, national, and international levels. Their strong commitment to working on this issue has also motivated them to participate at international climate negotiations since the first meetings of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Youth participation in the UNFCCC has steadily grown. In 2009, it had reached the level at which an official constituency was formed for youth NGOs. UNFCCC recognized Youth as official constituency to be called as “YOUNGO” (Youth + NGO). After two years operating under a provisional status, “YOUNGO” became fully recognized at COP17 in Durban, South Africa. YOUNGO has since served as both the official conduit for youth participation in the UN climate talks and as a global network of youth and youth-focused organizations who work on climate change and engage with the UNFCCC. Click Here to learn more about YOUNGO